Step By Step outdoor plans moving ahead

The day drop-in center for between 35 and 55 mentally ill clients has received permission from the city to landscape city-owned land at the rear of its headquarters and neighboring companion second-hand goods store at 101 Ford St. in the Ogdensburg Mall.

Executive Director David A. Bayne said a sidewalk will connect a rear door to the malls north side parking lot. There, clients will be able to be dropped off and picked up. Transportation now takes place on traffic congestion-prone, one-way Ford Street on the south side of the building.

This is so much safer, Mr. Bayne said of the pending new setup.

The lawn alongside the sidewalk will include a concrete pad for benches and picnic tables. And, Mr. Bayne added, they will be available for use by the public as well as his agencys clients and staff.

We want to be part of the community and a good neighbor, he said. Its all about giving back to the community.

Mr. Bayne said Step By Step has a lease and purchase agreement for 101 Ford St. with landlord Gilbert Jones.

An electrical transformer on the ground will be fenced in for safety purposes.

Step By Step employs 12 people who work both full time and part time, Mr. Bayne said.

The Another Step store employs one person who works part time.

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